About HOW we name our pets...

[RavensGryf]

Well, here's another one of my mindless, useless (but hopefully somewhat fun and mildly thought provoking) threads... ok, maybe not TOO thought provoking, no need to strain the brain here

About what and how we name our pets...

Since we all have a different way in which we arrive at what our pets our named, I was wondering if you're the type of person (like me) who will pick out a name that I think is 'out of this world' and just perfect even before I meet the bird....
Or maybe you're a bit weird like me and will REUSE a name you think is absolutely great, or has some deep significance to you, and can't bear to not have a bird with that name...

OR, are you a person who must meet the individual first, and see what the personality is like before deciding which name might be most fitting?

ALSO, if you have a rehome who already came with a name, did you keep the name (either because you liked it, or it doesn't matter to you that the bird is named something embarrassing, or feel too bad to change it's name after 20 years), or did you change it?

What kind of names do you prefer? Characters from TV shows or Disney etc.,
Human names, gender specific names, mythological, named after a personality trait...

 

[jenphilly]

Ivory came with her name... I actually did not like it, was just so 'obvious'...

My little budgie is named Cam after Cam from Modern Family. He was really young, so we were not sure if boy or girl, but was a screecher, and if you've ever seen Modern Family, you'll understand Cam was somehow appropriate

Victoria has some cool names for her birds....

Rin, Ryner, Dante and Renji (also Rukia who we lost) - all named after anime

Monkey and Monster are really named Arianna and Hijikata... Hijikata is anime character, Arianna is a name Victoria liked after searching for girls names

Loki - I've went on about Loki from the Avengers and she is a bigger fan then me... and who doesn't love a sexy bad guy!?

Folger - came with his name and obviously knows it quite well, so that just stuck and somehow it suits him, no clue why, he's just Folgie...


For cats....

Travolta (big gorgeous gray male) came with the name and he responds to it, so he kept his shelter name

Paige (Victoria's white odd eye girl) - Paige was also her name from the SPCA and she also knows / responds to her name and its just a perfect name for her

Emmie - I actually named Emmie before I met her. My sister in law had told me she had a new cat for me that was meant to be with me (long story, depends on what you believe), and when I saw photos of the little spotted moo cow looking thing, cannot tell you why, by I literally heard the name Emmie in my head. And she seemed to know her name since she was 8 weeks old.

Trinity - she has calico, stripes and spots - so she's the holy trinity of markings

Lily - She was a barn kitten... Lily is the daughter of Cam and Mitch on Modern Family. And we had a heck of a time agreeing on a name for her, Lily was the only thing we agreed on.

Horse... Chip was named and registered Chips n Motion by his breeder. He knew the name Chip and it just suited him. But, we changed his registered and show name to The Legendary Chip. That was a combination of tribute to his grandfather (Zips Chocolate Chip) and his father (Zans Living Legend).

So everyone else... what inspired you!? Fun question for the day

 

[Kiwibird]

I am the *worst* at choosing names. My 2 rescues Kiwi and Tiffany (my sweet beardie who passed away a few years back) came named, and I'm very glad about that because I know I wouldn't have come up with such good names for them. I think the pet names I did choose speak for themselves (or at least to my, erm, inabilities lol :54- Leo the LEOpard gecko, Mr. Newt the newt and when I had a goldfish and a glass fish, their names were "Fish" and "Glassy". As a kid I also had a horned toad my parents let me keep for a summer that I nursed back to health. I found it in the road, and it has obviously been attacked by an animal. "His" name was Toady, but once Toady was healed up and winter was approaching, I had to let him go in the woods where he belonged.

I was a kid when I got Leo, and the newt was given to me randomly, so I didn't really take the time to think up a good name. In fact, besides Leo, I haven't really ever had the opportunity to have a anxiously awaited pet that was not already named or warranted a name (who really names their fish?). Perhaps if I ever get another pet who isn't a rescue with a name, I would do better

 

[jenphilly]

We had a beardie named George years ago... cause everytime we got a new pet (all of Victoria's life), whenever we talked about names, my first reply has (and usually still is) Bob or George. And for whatever reason, her first beardie got stuck with the name George!

 

[Kiwibird]

We had a beardie named George years ago... cause everytime we got a new pet (all of Victoria's life), whenever we talked about names, my first reply has (and usually still is) Bob or George. And for whatever reason, her first beardie got stuck with the name George!

I love beardies! They are such wonderful animals, even though they look pretty mean lol. At some point, I would love to have another one (no room for that kind of setup here). I *adored* Tiffany the few years she was with me. She was HUGE, even for a mature beardie, and she would curl up around the back of my neck and just hang out there for hours (had to wrap a towel around my neck because she would go potty anywhere:11. She also had a harness and didn't mind being put in one of those "dog purses", so I would bring her everywhere with me. I got her when she was at the end of her lifespan, so I did not get as much time as I wished I could've, but she had the most gentle soul. Leo is also very sweet, but he is VERY old (will be 19 in August!) and at least partially blind, so I don't bother him anymore if I don't have to. I used to be able to carry him in a pouch around my neck when he was younger, and he would poke his little head out:09: All this talk about my scaly babies and the fact I have never really named a pet as an adult makes me want to go buy a juvenile reptile of some kind and come up with an awesome name:09: I *must* resist the temptation:52:

 

[RavensGryf]

I've seen Modern Family several times, but not regularly enough to remember who's named what. I liked it when I did watch it though.

I'll say mine now since I didn't above...
Robin - Dad named him because of the orange breast almost 20 years ago (apparently I wasn't blessed with naming back then) I couldn't think of anything for WEEKS.

Raven - Also named after another bird species. He's a dark bird, and I'm intrigued by Ravens. He's a BOY. Many people think Raven is a girl's name, I guess because it's used by some female humans . I think it's a beautiful and mysterious name for a BOY!

Griffin - Baby coming in June/July. This is one of my recycled and much loved names. Had a Gryffin (different spelling) before, but I absolutely LOVE the name. I'm sure you've seen this... a Griffin, Gryffin, Gryphon, Griffon, is a mythological guardian with the body of a lion, wings, forelegs, and head of an eagle, and horses ears.
NO... Not Griffin from Family Guy LOL.

Pix and Twigs the Budgies - my husband finally had to name them after I came up empty for weeks... apparently I can only think of parrot names LOL. I admit I impulse bought Twigs because of his beautiful coloration.

More recycled names:

I've had an Adrian and an Adrion.... bad luck name for me. They both died.

I've also had 2 birds named Terry. A male and a female... Sorry Terry if you're reading this. I know it must feel as weird to you as when I've come across birds named Julie :52:

 

[Terry57]

So I love TV show names
We kept Phoenix, Darwin & Ekko's names since they know them and say them, but renamed everyone else.
Dexter is from the show Dexter.
Slater is from no where, just liked the name
Xander is from Buffy, the vampire slayer.
Talli is short for Metallica.
Merlin & Arthur are the English Budgies.
Malcolm and Russell are the parakeets, named after 2 people from the show Survivor.
Sam and Dean (the Bourkes) are from Supernatural.
Lemon, Magnolia and Zoe ( Lovebirds)are from Hart of Dixie.
Masuka, the laughing thrush is from the show Dexter.
Kimera, the RLA, is named after a local band i used to listen to when I was young.
Calypso (Cally), the DYH, is from mythology.
I have 2 finches named Merle and Herschel (one is missing a leg, one is lame) from TWD.

My dog, Church is named after the cat in the book Pet Sematary.
Chaz's real name is Sir Charleston Monfer (Charleston after where I am from).
My daughter named Memphis.
My cats are Charlie (from Party of 5), Nero, whose real name is Genero (had 3 named Rio, De and genero), Dixon is after the Mason Dixon line, and Meatloaf is after the Meatloaf album Bat out of He** cause that is how she acts when we try to pet her.

I also reuse names, I have had several snakes named Kimera
Love this thread!!!

 

[Terry57]

@ Julie - I LOVE it that you had 2 birds named Terry - I used to have a cat named Julia (another Party of 5 member)...does that count?

 

[RavensGryf]

@ Julie - I LOVE it that you had 2 birds named Terry - I used to have a cat named Julia (another Party of 5 member)...does that count?

Oh good, glad you're honored . I just think Terry (spelled like this) is such a nice name human or animal, female or male

I usually think of Julia as a different name from Julie... So far, I've heard of 2 birds named Julie LOL

 

[Terry57]

@ Julie - I LOVE it that you had 2 birds named Terry - I used to have a cat named Julia (another Party of 5 member)...does that count?

Oh good, glad you're honored . I just think Terry (spelled like this) is such a nice name human or animal, female or male

I usually think of Julia as a different name from Julie... So far, I've heard of 2 birds named Julie LOL

Looks like I need a new bird named Julie then
I will let my hubby know..lol

 

[PetoftheDay]

I tend to name a pet whatever it tells me its name is. And the funny thing is, usually a name pops into my head when I met the pet.

There was once a loose pup dashing through our neighborhood, a Miniature Pinscher, and I knew he was someone's dog who had escaped the leash. I looked at him, and called, "Hey, Spike!" and he stopped in his tracks, looked square at me, and then dashed as soon as I began to move. I ran into his person a few hours later, an older woman standing in the library parking lot looking around, and she said, "Have you seen my dog? His name is Spike, " and showed me a picture! She did find him eventually, thank goodness!

 

[Kiwibird]

So I love TV show names
Slater is from no where, just liked the name

LOLOLOL. Now that you mention it, that is the only one of your birds name I thought I knew from a movie or show (ya, haven't had a TV in years, so some of the newer ones I had no clue). I assumed he was named after Slater in the movie Dazed and Confused. I guess not:54: I always kind of wondered why a bird would be named after that particular character:09:

Glad we cleared that up on this thread.

 

[Birdbrain91]

Here's an original one for you. In collage I named my parakeet Bud short for budgie.

I had 3 ferrets and named them names I liked: Sydney, Mia and Jewels (all RIP).

Apollo - God of the Sun because he is a Yellow Sided Green Check
Cleo - the pet store gave her that name and she is so sweet that if fit her.
Wesley - (rehomed) I couldn't change his name because every morning when I 1st walk into the bird room he says hi Wesley and bye Wesley. It's a good thing I like the name.

 

[Birdman666]

Most of mine came with names...

My daughter named Sweepea. She was sweet, she was green, and she loved eating pea pods.

Tusk was named as a tribute to the Tuskegee airmen. For those of you who don't know, they were the first African American fighter squadron in WW2. (And my Grandfather crewed in a flying fortress during WW2.)

What you may not know is the origin of the "Red Tails" which were the squadron insignia...

HERE'S A HINT: AFRICAN BIRD, SMARTEST BIRD IN THE AIR. SILVER WITH A RED TAIL...

Hence: Tusk

Every other bird I've ever owned came to me already named.

 

[getwozzy]

Ooo! Fun thread!!

Quigley- we originally thought was a boy (wrong!) but named after Tom Sellick's character in the movie Quigley Down Under

Lemon and Cloud came pre-named but they're fitting

Snow- because he's albino and we wanted to name him "John Snow" (Game of Thrones) lol

Chili- straight from a book of baby names lol. Hubby didn't want to name her till we met her, but now it fits because she's got a bit of attitude like a chili pepper

Mishka (husky) "little teddy bear" is the translation I found when naming her almost 11 years ago

Apollo (husky) "god of the sun" because his colors are golden and white...he was almost Odin lol

Bella (GSD) hubby named her but I always call her "smella Bella" because she has a habit of getting skunked LOL

 

[RavensGryf]

Looks like I need a new bird named Julie then
I will let my hubby know..lol

LOL!!! Yes, you do need to tell your hubby that you have found a legitimate reason to get another bird

 

[RavensGryf]

I tend to name a pet whatever it tells me its name is. And the funny thing is, usually a name pops into my head when I met the pet.

There was once a loose pup dashing through our neighborhood, a Miniature Pinscher, and I knew he was someone's dog who had escaped the leash. I looked at him, and called, "Hey, Spike!" and he stopped in his tracks, looked square at me, and then dashed as soon as I began to move. I ran into his person a few hours later, an older woman standing in the library parking lot looking around, and she said, "Have you seen my dog? His name is Spike, " and showed me a picture! She did find him eventually, thank goodness!

Whoa.. I see a psychic connection there :52:

 

[Dustbunny]

PB: My new 5-year-old, originally and still mostly untamed GCC is named PB. I suggested to my husband we call her PB, short for Pretty Bird, until we decided on a permanent name. He suggested PB could also stand for PitBull, which is all too appropriate for her. Somehow the name just stuck. When she's good she's a Pretty Bird and when she's bad her name means PitBull.

Sara: My 7-year-old cat. Sara became our abbreviation for Serendipity. She was probably no more than 3 weeks old when my father found her in front of his house on a busy street and called me. That same day I was laid off from my job. It was fate. Had I not lost my job, I wouldn't have been able to nurse Sara back to health. I'd love to say she is a wonderful, loving cat because of all the time and devotion I bestowed upon her, but truth is she's stubborn and grouchy to a fault. Her formal tea party name is Madam Fussybritches. (Note: There are no actual tea parties, this is just their formal name when they do something especially adorable or bad.)

Nala: She is a 1-year-old cat named after Simba's playmate Nala in the Lion King. The way she would tumble around and play reminded me of the 2 cubs playing in the movie. Tea party name: Princess Pompear. Pom because she loves fetching pompom balls and pear because that's how she looks when she sits up. LOL

Bo: This is more my son's cat, and he named her Bo because that's what he liked. My tea party name for her is Lady Twinkletoes. I've never seen a cat bounce and jump like she does. She literally climbs walls. She will run real fast at the wall and do those running-up-the-wall ninja moves seen only on television. She'll also try to climb door frames. I've seen her get two-thirds the way up one - without front claws.

Last but not least, Chewy: He's our 4-year-old shorkie (shih tzu and yorkie mix). He looks like a mini Chewbacca. He doesn't have a tea party name because he is not refined enough to use the good china.

 

[Hotrod]

I like to pick out all the names that I like, and then when I meet the pet, pick the one that best fits their looks/personality. I usually don't like to reuse names, but the sun conure I have is named Hotrod (the second). I had a bird once named Hotrod, and he tragically passed away. So that is why i chose to name my sun conure Hotrod again, in rememberance of my first Hotrod, and because I think that it is a very unique name. Whenever I got my sun conure, his name was already FruitLoop, but I changed it.

 

[RavensGryf]

Last but not least, Chewy: He's our 4-year-old shorkie (shih tzu and yorkie mix). He looks like a mini Chewbacca. He doesn't have a tea party name because he is not refined enough to use the good china.

The others would tell you it's because he's a dog LOL I bet he's a real
cutie looking like mini Chewbacca! Clever PB... First thing that came to my mind was Peanut Butter for some reason!